Defence Secretary Michael Fallon has today announced £642 million
of investment for the Successor submarine programme. The funding will
help to progress work on the four new submarines that will begin replacing
the Vanguard class, from the 2030s. The funding will go towards new
parts and facilities, as well as further design work. The investment
will include £225 million of investment for new facilities, at
BAE Systems at Barrow-in-Furness, where the submarines will be assembled.
That investment will ensure the submarines are built with maximum efficiency.

The first
ever image to be released of the Successor submarine
Image: BAE Systems

The funding will also see significant investment
in the UK/US collaboration for the Common Missile Compartment and around
£200 million for key long lead items ordered for the submarines.
This confirms the announcement made in last year’s Strategic Defence
and Security Review and will provide a sound foundation for the next
phase where we will be taking a staged investment approach.

HMS Vanguard,
head of Vanguard class SSBN, the current class of Royal Navy SSBN
set to be replaced around 2024 by a new class
(Picture: Royal Navy/Crown Copyright)

Defence
Secretary Michael Fallon said:Our nuclear deterrent provides the ultimate guarantee of our security
and our way of life. That’s why we are getting on with this investment.
This money will support further design work, new infrastructure and the
purchase of key parts such as engines and gearboxes, as well as jobs across
the UK.
This investment of £642 million will take the total cost of the
Assessment phase to £3.9 billion.